I would argue that in America it has become more and more common for us to avoid taking responsibility for our actions. If we try hard enough, we can always find someone else to blame for the bad things we do. Christians can fall into that trap too. We might blame our parents for raising us in an environment that has heightened our tendency to sin in certain areas. We may blame the devil for tempting us. And we may even go as far as to say that God is tempting us as some sort of a test. But James is clear when he says in chapter 1 verse 13-14:

"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."

Do you see how James kind of throws the responsibility back on us? He says that each one is tempted by his own evil desires. Believe me, I would like to blame someone else for my sin as well, but the truth is that when we fall into sin, there is really no one to blame but ourselves. And at no point should we ever consider blaming God. “God cannot be tempted, not does he tempt anyone”. We just need to be on guard when it comes to sin. And if we are tempted, then we are to stand in the face of it. I know, it doesn’t sound all that fun, does it?

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James tells us that God cannot be tempted, nor does he tempt anyone. He says that each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. I encourage you not to let your fleshly nature rule over you. The Holy Spirit can break any stronghold that Satan has on your life. Do you believe that he can?